"Political Pundit" Toby Keith: Black society thinks Obama "talks, acts, and carries himself as a Caucasian." The jobless keep getting joblesser! Unemployment tracking at 6-year high. Favre: When you're a jet you're a jet all the way. China to Bush: Mind your own biz. Typhus in Texas! Madonna, Kirk Watson and Prince Albert walk into a bar... Austin based Whole Foods Market stock loses 17 percent....

In a video sent to donors on Friday, David Plouffe, Barack Obama’s campaign manager, claimed that the Senator received 100,000 contributions in the wake of a new McCain campaign ad portraying Obama as an out-of-touch celebrity. The ad, which juxtaposes images of Obama against images of Britney Spears and Paris Hilton and which calls Obama the “biggest celebrity in the world,” drew ire from the Obama campaign. Plouffe told donors that, of the 100,000 contributions they received on Thursday, over 1/3rd were from first-time donors....

McCain security detail removes sole black reporter from event. At least nine feared dead on K-2. Obama fights for Florida and Michigan's right to party. Oh, Joe, you wild card, you! 7-year-old Round Rock boy makes film debut. Abducted Austinites rescued in Dallas. Scientist finds world's smallest snake, which is as thin as a spaghetti noodle, and probably as dangerous....

Holy $155 million, Batman! Obama kicks it with Karzai. Speaking of Obama, Maliki likes how he thinks. Treasury Secretary: "Hold on bitches, it's gonna get worse!" US and Iran: The new Paris and Nicole? Probably not. But they are talking. Dolly. Now more than just a cloned sheep or kick-ass country idol. It's hot. Surprise. ...

Former Texas Senator and McCain economic advisor Phill Gramm told the Washington Times on Wednesday that the economy is merely in a state of “mental recession” and that the United States has become a “nation of whiners.”...

In this morning's NYTimes article about Senator Barack Obama's year-long cross-country tour, the Democratic presidential candidate confesses to being surprised by Austin and its music scene. "A place that I’ve come to love, which I did not expect until this campaign, is Texas," he goes on to say. "I ended up loving Texas!" [NYTimes] via [Austin Soundcheck]......

Six dead as gunmen open fire outside the US Consulate in Turkey Iran test-fires long-range missles capable of reaching Israel Barack Obama regrets allowing his daughters to be interviewed by "Access Hollywood" Doctors group recommends cholesterol drugs for children as young as eight Jailed polygamist sect leader Warren Jeffs taken to a Las Vegas hospital Sacha Baron Cohen (Borat/Bruno) pulls cage fighting prank on Arkansas crowd Matthew McConaughey names his son Levi. From the......

Obama wins big in North Carolina; Clinton ekes out Indiana Cyclone deaths in Myanmar may top 22,000 New Russian president sworn in; Putin to become prime minister 96 arrested in San Diego State University drug bust Sprint, Clearwire team up on plans for national high-speed wireless network Team readies artificial beak for wounded bald eagle Lakers' Kobe Bryant named NBA Most Valuable Player......

Obama "outraged" by ex-pastor's "ridiculous propositions" US troop deaths hit 7-month high in Iraq What recession? Economy grows slightly in first quarter Albert Hofmann, father of drug LSD, dies in Switzerland Happy 75th birthday, Willie Nelson Paula Abdul gets confused on "American Idol" Spurs eliminate Suns to advance in NBA playoffs......

Before we let Texas fade off the political radar for a while, let's take a look at the Texas Democratic elite who will likely have the final say in who their nominee for president will be. ...

Clinton campaign seeks to control local caucus sessions? According to a Dallas Morning News blog, recent training materials distributed by the Clinton campaign read, "DO NOT allow the supporter of another candidate to serve in leadership roles... If our supporters are outnumbered, ask the Temporary Chair if one of our supporters can serves as the Secretary, in the interest of fairness." Mike Huckabee's latest outreach video reworks "Mr Sandman" Calling "Rangers," Huckabee's supporters are urged......

Today both the Clinton and Obama campaigns announced upcoming town hall meetings. Obama's will take place tomorrow at the Austin Convention Center, while Hillary's sounds like more of a "virtual" town hall meeting - on TV the Monday before election day....

Photos from last night's historic CNN/Univision Debate between Senator Barack Obama and Senator Hillary Clinton. All photos by Steve Hopson for Austinist.com. If you can't view the Flash slideshow above, an alternate version appears after the jump.......

Photo by Steve Hopson for Austinist.com For those who are watching from home but don't have access to CNN, local PBS affiliate KLRU will be airing the debate on tape-delay, starting at 9pm DailyKos has an informative rundown of each democratic candidate's proposed legislation and their record in the Senate (thanks, MikeB) Chelsea Clinton will speak at ACC’s South Austin Campus tomorrow morning at 9:45am. The event is free and open to the public Senator......

Photo from the Austin History Center archives Since so many of you wrote in asking about places to watch the Democratic Presidential Debate, we went ahead and called around town. Below are your best options if you missed out on the Alamo's watch parties or the Texas Democrats' party—both are now sold out. We still recommend calling ahead to make sure the folks below haven't changed their minds, and feel free to share any that......

Former Austin mayor and current Texas State Senator Kirk Watson made an appearance on MSNBC last night after officially endorsing Senator Barack Obama. When asked by Chris Matthews to list just a few of Obama's legislative accomplishments, Watson looks stumped, and then only manages to respond with a weak, 'Well, I am not going to be able to name you specific items." From the Huffington Post: But he was unable to answer Chris Matthews......

Photo by Phillyist's Matt Johnson, SkyscraperSunset.com, December 19, 2007. Phillyist explored an impending implosion and lived to tell the tale.Gothamist marveled at the city's new NYC-branded condom campaign - especially the use of a Toronto landmark in the advertising. (Also, fun fact: Gothamist turned five years old yesterday.)Tired of the worldwide Scientology protests? Torontoist totally isn't: they covered the big downtown protest the day it happened, and followed up with an examination of all......

Photo credits unknownPraising his commitment to an environmentally-conscious energy policy, Austin's green-friendly Mayor Will Wynn today officially endorsed Senator Barack Obama for president. "For too long, we've allowed old divisions to hold us back," Wynn said. "Recently I've had conversations about energy policy with presidential candidates from both parties, and I believe Senator Obama is the only person who can move us forward on this critical issue. "Barack Obama gets it. He offers a commitment......

Senators Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton are both spending an estimated $1 million on TV ads airing across Texas this month. Two recent polls show two different plausible outcomes for our March 4th primary — a Texas Credit Union League poll conducted just days ago shows Clinton ahead 49% to 41%, whereas a poll released this morning by The American Research Group shows Senator Barack Obama leading Hillary Clinton 48% to 42%. Things are certainly getting interesting ......

At least it has a cool roofUPDATE: The Statesman has just released information from Hector Nieto of the Texas Democratic Party that attendance to the Feb. 21 Barack Obama/Hillary Clinton debate will be by invitation only. Well, while we were all was guessing The LBJ Library, Hogg Auditorium or The Frank Erwin Center, UT has announced that the February 21 Democratic Debate will officially be held at The Recreation Sports Center. Yes, this no name......

Yes we can ... win 3 primaries for delegates in Maryland, Virginia and D.C. Texas State still wants a "body farm" in San Marcos. Wait, what's San Marcos currently? Prison escapee Abel Morin caught in South Texas yesterday. Researchers are revealing hidden complexities behind the simple act of kissing, which relays powerful messages to your brain, body and partner....

Meanwhile, both Obama and Clinton are pulling out all the stops to appeal to our state's Hispanic population, which account for as much as 25% of Texas' eligible voters, according to the Pew Hispanic Center. Obama today launched a Spanish radio ad (mp3) stressing his humble working-class roots. Each campaign is also spending upwards of $1 million on TV ads that began running this week....

It shouldn’t take more than 350 words to explain why I intended to vote Ron Paul for President, and roughly two words to explain why there’s now no chance in hell....

Photograph of Michael Strahan, coach Tom Coughin (holding the Vince Lombardi trophy) and quarterback and Super Bowl MVP Eli Manning by Tien Mao Gothamist was amazed after the Giants won the Super Bowl, the city went wild, and it witnessed a ticker-tape parade.Barack Obama drew 20,000+ ahead of Seattle’s Saturday caucus.Londonist had Super Tuesday too.Elusive guerrilla street artist Banksy revisits Los Angeles.After the Patriots lost the Super Bowl and came this close to making......

As we mentioned last week, Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama is setting up one of his campaign headquarters in Austin for the upcoming Texas Primary. Today we found out that the location for the offices will be downtown Austin, on the second floor of the old Frost Bank building at 816 Congress Avenue....

After eight years of having Texas be a no-contest state for all presidential hopefuls, this election year it could play kingmaker for one of the two Democratic candidates. The Ohio and Texas primaries on March 4 have already been dubbed Super Tuesday Two by many news outlets. Between the two states, close to 400 delegates are at stake. Texas with 126 and Ohio with 140 (not counting superdelegates). Austin accounts for 8 of the total Texas delegates....

Tonight's massive Super Tuesday election returns should make for some top notch TV watching, but there's no reason why you should spend the evening yelling at political pundits by yourself. Whether you're a hardcore democrat or republican, plenty of your like-minded brethren are getting together around town to watch the returns and collectively celebrate (or commiserate). Besides the formal meetup spots, you'll probably stand a decent chance of catching some prime time coverage at Brown Bar and the Cloak Room....

SFist worried over drugstore chain Walgreens celebration of Black History Month.Gothamist was surprised that apparently New York City is the fourth most miserable city in the country, after Detroit, Stockton, CA, and Flint, MI.Shanghaiist finds out what the Chinese think of Hilary and Obama.It was with a healthy amount of schadenfreude that Phillyist reported that former Eagle, and now Cowboy (ew), Terrell Owens owes the Eagles a significant wad of cash.Torontoist is two weeks......

I thoroughly enjoyed watching Barack Obama win South Carolina. Like most Americans, I like Barack Obama. And, like most Americans, I'm not sure why....

Are you familiar with micro-blogging? We weren't, until we took the time to Google "Twitter," the word that seems to be on everyone's busy lips. Twitter is a social networking site that enables users to quickly (and briefly) update their blog and subscribers via SMS, IM or third party application. Updates are 140 characters or less, and while many Twitterers utilize the service for relaying meaningless information regarding their day to day life, a few of them have found that passing along information in the form of short link-based posts, event notifications or emergency situation news items. The Los Angeles Fire Dept. uses Twitter as a means of communication - a lesson they learned after the 2007 wildfires. Democratic presidential candidates John Edwards and Barack Obama both use Twitter, too. ...